The time is the late 19th century. After many months of being feared missing, a group of explorers, led by the eminent Professor Lidenbrock, return to civilisation.

In front of hordes of bustling pressmen, they relay to the world that they have just returned from a quest to a completely new country. What makes their story so difficult to believe is their claim that this country does not exist on the Earth but lies inside its very core.

Of course, being the cynical bunch that humans are, their story is dismissed as lies. Well, would *you* believe it? Erm... well you would actually. 'Cos this is the bit where you come in.

You see, a handful of people have speculated for some time that such a kingdom actually exists. You (probably because a brick fell on your head when you were six) are one of these people.

Most of this so-called fantastic journey is just spent staring at a basic map and when one of the sub-games does decide to appear, it's just a case of dodging left or right to avoid oncoming "perils".

At least the Amiga game looks and sounds nice... Of course, no-one expects the C64 to match up to that, but that's no excuse for gaudy colours, blobby sprites and abysmal sound effects. What hammers the final nail in the coffin of the C64 version though is the horrendous multi-load.

Brilliant idea that, to load in each message for each room *separately*! I really enjoy spending 50% of my playing time waiting for the disk.

Aaargh! Help! It's Around The World In 80 Days come back to bore me to death. Eeek! Just when you thought it was safe to come back out of the cupboard, they've come up with another of these interesting-sounding exploration games. Thing is, that's all they do - *sound* interesting.

When you actually get down to it, all there is to the magical underground journey is a bit of dodging, a bit of watching a static screen and (on the C64) ages waiting for a really mind-numbing multi-load. If you really want to make it to the Earth's core, get a shovel and start digging - it'll be a lot more fun.

While the Amiga version of Journey To The Centre Of The Earth abounds with very good digitised stills of caverns, as well as a generous smattering of effective sampled sound effects, the C64's game is a mixture of really weird blobs of colour and basic sound.

What the two programs do have in common, though, is the gameplay. There just aren't any long-term lasting qualities here. The majority of the game is spent pressing one of the direction arrows, hearing some footsteps, and reading about the surrounding area. Hardly epic material, is it?

Presentation 30%
Simple to use icons and basic controls in the sub-games. Both versions have poor multi-loads - the C64's being easily worse.

Graphics 23%
While the Amiga has some pleasant digitised pictures, the C64 version is a mass of strange shapes and colours. Arcade sequences in both games are poorly defined and animated.

Sound 28%
Sampled effects on the Amiga, but disappointingly basic sounds on the C64.

Hookability 39%
Both versions are easy enough to get into, although the C64's loader will put many off from the beginning.

Lastability 28%
Boredom soon creeps in, because there's practically nothing to do.

Overall 20%
A poor attempt at transforming an unusual subject into a computer game. It doesn't come off.

Presentation 53%
Simple to use icons and basic controls in the sub-games. Both versions have poor multi-loads - the C64's being easily worse.

Graphics 49%
While the Amiga has some pleasant digitised pictures, the C64 version is a mass of strange shapes and colours. Arcade sequences in both games are poorly defined and animated.

Sound 48%
Sampled effects on the Amiga, but disappointingly basic sounds on the C64.

Hookability 60%
Both versions are easy enough to get into, although the C64's loader will put many off from the beginning.

Lastability 39%
Boredom soon creeps in, because there's practically nothing to do.

Overall 36%
A poor attempt at transforming an unusual subject into a computer game. It doesn't come off.